- Published: November 16, 2021
- Updated: November 16, 2021
- University / College: University of Dundee
- Level: Doctor of Philosophy
- Language: English
- Downloads: 11
The paper ” Competencies of Nurses Prepared at the Associate Degree Level and Baccalaureate Degree Level” is an outstanding example of an essay on nursing. The paper discusses the opportunities of nurses associate degree level versus baccalaureate degree level. On the example of modern researches and studies and practical evidence, it is claimed that nurse with BSN degree is more open-minded and professional than nurses with AND a degree. ADN or BSN nurse
As far as we know, there is neither good nor bad education. There is no need to focus on the degree you have, but on a kind of a professional, you are going to become. The same happens to nurses. Very often they are challenged by making the right choice: whether to be ADN or BSN nurse?
In accordance with the modern studies and researches, it is clearly seen that opportunities for studying are equal, working conditions and salaries are equal. So, the point is about personal development and personal aspirations. There is a different length of education for nurses (4 years for BSN and 2-3 years for AND programs). In accordance with the research conducted by Daly et al (2005), it is claimed that a higher degree does not always indicate a more experienced professional.
In accordance with the report issued on October 2010 by the Institute of Medicine, there is a growing number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses (80%) and the number of nurses with doctorates is increasing as well (AACN Fact Sheet). Higher education of nurses is positioned as a necessary condition for the advancement of a higher quality of patients treatment. Moreover, it is claimed in this report that the public is waiting for the quality growth of nurses services (AACN Fact Sheet). In such a way, the quality of services provided in the hospitals is growing in the result of nurses education advancement. National health is at risk, while nurses are lacking a proper level of education.
In accordance with the description concerning BSN degree, it is mentioned that a degreed nurse provides better care and patients in these hospitals have more positive outcomes. In spite of different options of making a choice of a degree for nurses, it is claimed that the nurses remain the least educated persons in the field of medicine. It should be noted that nurses entering the nursing practice are able to advance their creative potential and increase the scope of their skills.
On the example of taking care of a patient with cancer, who worked on the chemo floor, two nurses with ADN or BSN reflected different experiences of care. The former nurse was not really involved in the treatment process and followed only doctors instructions. The later nurse was more involved in the processes of communication with the patients (Kaufman, 2008). This group of patients was rather challenging because they were focused on their coming death and there was a need to talk to them and implement an individual-centered approach. In the process of education, BSN nurse was more aware of the importance of communication with the patients, of the involvement of their members in the process of treatment.
There are two basic pillars in BSN education: these are knowledge about the community and public health. When this knowledge is projected on their patients, the nurses are more concerned about having the opportunities for positive outcomes of treatment. Moreover, another advancement of the nurse with a BSN degree was that she had knowledge about the pathophysiology of diseases (Kim & Kollak, 2006). This was the greatest advantage over another nurse.
On the one hand, this case indicates that a nurse with a BSN degree had more aspirations of her further administrative growth because she was not interested only in taking care of patients suffering from cancer. Moreover, both at the local and the governmental levels BSN nurses are aspiring for gaining better knowledge and developing their skills and opportunities (Ropelewski-Ryan, Hess & Bartow, 2008).
On the other hand, it is often claimed that ” a talented nurse with an AS degree can move “ up the ladder” into management and leadership roles, the Bachelor’s degree can make the climb a little less steep” (Jones, 2008). To my mind, these ideas diminish the opportunities and aspirations of BSN trained nurses. Let us take into account that the level of education in any sphere of human activity of the modern people plays the most crucial role because only knowledge advancement makes a person uplifted.
Conclusion
Nursing should be positioned as a field welcoming humane attitudes. It should be positioned in the modern global context as a perfect opportunity for knowledge and career advancement. The major concern for nurses with any degree is an aspiration to continue education and develop ones wisdom in the favor of the patients, community and the society in general. Under conditions of the modern global context, it should be noted that LLL or ” life long learning” is relevant to any field of human activity. Therefore, the field of nursing is not an exception and additional education should be positioned as an effective factor of the modern world of medicine.